| ABOUT US |
| Our organization was formed in the early part of the 1990's in Daytona Beach, Florida. At first was the dream of only a handful of people, but it would soon grow into reality. The original five were Michael Toole of Ormond Beach, Hewitt Dupont of South Daytona, Steve Baltzegar of Samsula, Bob Mann of Lake Mary, and I (Bill Blair of Deland). All five were members of the James F. Hull Camp of the Sons Of Confederate Veterans. We were disappointed that Florida's War Between The States History had been so ignored. Many people had heard of the large battles in the other States, but almost no one knew that there were over 300 battles and skirmishes right here in our own State! We wanted to establish an organization that would work toward educating our many residents and visitors to the role Florida played in the War Between The States. We knew that we would be able to accomplish more if we opened our doors to anyone who was interested in our history. Organizations like the SCV have accomplished much, but you have to be a descendant of a Confederate Veteran to be able to join. We wanted to include all and exclude no one. We also wanted to be listed as a "Not-for-profit" organization so that contributor's donations would be tax deductible, thereby giving a greater incentive for those much needed donations. We also wanted to stay an all-volunteer organization (as long as possible) so those donations would be applied directly to our projects. Well, with a loan from the James F. Hull Camp, we set out to establish ourselves. We became incorporated in the State of Florida and shortly after we received the much needed "Not-for-profit" from the IRS. So we were off and running with Bob Mann as President, Bill Blair-1st VP, Michael Toole-2nd VP, Steve Baltzegar-Secretary, and Hewitt Dupount-Treasurer. We soon raised enough money to repay the loan to the Camp, and to begin our first project(Braddock's Farm-please see that page). Since our inception we have experienced steady growth. While we have seen some change to our Officers, we have maintained a focus on our goals. Our current Officers and Board of Directors are: President-Robert W. Mann of Lake Mary, Florida. Born at Pax River Naval Air Station in Southern Maryland, his family moved to Florida as soon as it was safe for mom and baby to travel. Robert attended school in Jacksonville and completed High School with the American School. He has attended Jones College in Jacksonville and Oklahoma State University. Widely traveled from a Military Family, Robert can cross the continent without a road map. Always considering Florida as "home base," Robert includes: Oklahoma, California, Oregon, Missouri, Texas and Maryland as one-time homes. Interest in the Civil War and Railroads goes back to his infancy. Robert grew up on the Confederate Earth Works in Jacksonville, paddling his canoe around the site of the CSS St. Marys sinking or following the railroad crews around Jacksonville, Los Angeles or Portland Union Stations. While working as a property manager in California, for his family, Robert first saw Libia, but she refused to talk to him, little did he know the trauma she had just lived through. After seizing the opportunity to disable her car, they were married 30 days later (12/26/1979) in Las Vegas, NV.. With Libia at his side Robert is a collector of details, clippings, books and magazines, Robert was first published in 1984 with his book "Rails 'Neath the Palms," he has several other manuscripts and has written many magazine articles. His interest in preservation date he and his wife finding Yellow Bluff Fort as a shredded dirt bike playground and watching the City of Jacksonville dump the entire records of it's streetcar lines to prevent any interference in it's people mover project! Having retired at age 46 with several disabilities from the US Postal Service and the US Navy. Father of four, Robert, devotes much of his day to family projects, his model railroad and to preserving Florida. You can reach Bob via email at confederatebob@yahoo.com . 1st Vice-President-Richard Elmer Jones of Ormond Beach. Richard was born in Hartford, CT. When he was five years old his family moved to St Petersburg, FL and then a couple years later to Orlando, FL. He attended college at St. Petersburg Junior College and Florida State University where he majored in music. He sang and played in rock & roll bands and owned a record store for four years. He is married to Dinah(our Treasurer) and they have one daughter, Caren, and three Grandsons. He is a member of the James F. Hull Camp #1347 of the SCV. Richard has been a member since March 1994. His email address is tworadjones@aol.com. 2nd Vice President - Charles Smith of Ft Mill, SC. Charles is a Past President of the FCPHS and has participated in all of our projects. He is a member of the Sons of Confederate Veterans, a WBTS reenactor, and Old West reenactor. He has been a member since July 1994. You can reach Charles via email at: csmith@comporium.net Treasurer-Dinah Lee Spurgeon Jones of Ormond Beach. Dinah was born in Norfolk, VA to an family with a background from Virginia and Tennessee. When she was nine her family moved to Orlando, FL. She attended Florida State University. She has one daughter, Caren, and three grandsons. She has worked with the Volusia County School district for seventeen years where she handles retirement for all employees. Dinah has been a member since March 1994. Her email address is tworadjones@aol.com. Secretary-Thomas W(Bill) Blair Jr. of Deland. I am a Life Member of the SCV-currently of the St Johns Rangers Camp 1360 of West Volusia. I'm also a member of the Sons Of The American Revolution and several other Historical and Genealogical Societies. I'm married to the former Theresa Bingham and I have two children, Amanda and Tommy. I'm a Facilities Technician for BellSouth. I'm a Perpetual Member. I've been a member since June 1993. My email address is the.blairs@hotmail.com. Director-Margary Neal Nelson of Crescent City. Margary is a member of the UDC and is a writer for her local newspaper. She is also recognized in her community as "the local historian". She has been a member since February 1997. Director - Marty Smith of Ft Mill, SC. Marty is married to Past President Charles Smith and joined us in June 1999. She has been extrememly supportive of our work and active in all of our projects since becoming a member. You can reach her via email at: csmith@comporium.net. Director-Ed Halligan of South Daytona. Ed is descended from Confederate Veterans and is a past Camp Commander and past Florida Division Commander of the SCV. He is also very active in his Masonic lodge. He is married to Mary Halligan and has two grown children. He is retired from the South Daytona Police Department. He is a Perpetual member and has been a member since January 1995. His email address is ehalligan@cfl.rr.com. Director -Michael Toole of Ormond Beach. Michael is descended from a Confederate Veteran and is a WBTS reenactor. He is a past-Camp Commander of the James F. Hull Camp/SCV. He owns a record store in Daytona Beach (Atlantic Sounds 138 W International Speedway Blvd). He is a Perpetual Member. He was one of our original members from June 1993. His email address is Michealtoole@aol.com. Director- Gene Hendrickson of Port Orange. Gene is a member of the James F. Hull Camp 1347, Sons of Confederate Veterans. He has been very active with locating graves in Volusia County and with the many projects of the FCPHS. Director - Hazel Bryngelson of Deland, FL. Hazel has been with the FCPHS from practicly the beginning. She is a member of the United Daughters of the Confederacy Chapter in Deland, and is very active in WBTS history. She has participated in Living Histories and donated countless hours to teaching Florida History to school children. You can reach Hazel by email at hb301@bellsouth.net. Director - Gerald LeBlanc of Apex, North Carolina. He graduated from LeMoyne College in Syracuse, NY in 1954 and then spent two years in the US Army. He recently retired, with 28 years service, from Aventis Pasteur, a world leader in the Vaccine industry. His wife's name is Diana and they have two children. His daughter and her retired Army Major husband and their two daughters live in Apex, NC. Gerry's son is a Police Officer in upstate New York (he and his wife have two young daughters). He is also a member of the First Corp. of Gettysburg, a part of the Friends of Gettysburg battlefield preservation group. He is also a member of the American Legion, the Raleigh Civil War Roundtable, the Dade Battlefield Historical Association, and the CWPT. He also enjoys attending seminars put on by the Civil War Educational Association. He is a Perpetual Member. He has been a member since November 1994. He became a member while still living in Pennsylvania. His email address is gleblanc@nc.rr.com Director – Theresa Blair of Deland, Florida. Theresa was involved with the FCPHS from the beginning of the organization. She has been active in virtually every FCPHS project. She is a Clerk of the Court for Volusia County, serving in the Juvenile Department. She is married to Secretary Bill Blair and we have two children, Amanda and Tommy. You can reach her via email at the.blairs@hotmail.com. Director – Thomas W. Blair III of Deland, Florida. Tommy is the youngest member of our Board (18), but he is very involved in our projects. He especially enjoys our Work Days where he gets to help clear underbrush. He brings a special energy to all of our undertakings. He is a Perpetual Member. You can reach him via email at the.blairs@hotmail.com . |